Almost exactly two years after its predecessor's introduction, Ricoh is debuting the Pentax K-1 Mark II. It's the company's latest full-frame DSLR and uses the same AA-filterless 36.4MP sensor used by the Mark I, but adds a new 'accelerator' to the imaging pipeline. This addition makes it possible to shoot at up to ISO 819,200, according to Ricoh. The company also says updated image processing parameters offer better color reproduction, especially blues and greens.

The K-1 II's Pixel Shift Resolution System II adds the ability to use this high-res mode without a tripod by measuring the movements that come from hand shake, then capturing and combining four frames into one high-resolution image. The company calls this feature Dynamic Pixel Shift Resolution mode.

Official samples:

The camera's hardware specs are otherwise unchanged from the K-1: it still offers a sturdy, weather-resistant construction and a flexible, articulated 3.2" 1.04 million dot LCD complemented by a nearly 100% optical viewfinder (0.7x magnification). It continues to offer 33 AF points (25 cross-type), with an updated tracking algorithm that claims to improve accuracy while photographing moving subjects in AF-C mode. In-body 5-axis image stabilization is included, claiming up to 5 stops of correction.

Burst shooting tops out at 4.4 fps (up to 17 Raw images or 70 JPEGs) in regular shooting, or 6.4 fps in APS-C crop mode. The camera's maximum video resolution of 1080/30p is starting to look a bit dated, though it does offer a 4K resolution interval mode that turns a series of stills into a time-lapse video. Headphone and microphone ports are offered, with a new wind-reduction audio recording option.

The Pentax K-1 Mark II will go on sale in April for $1999.95 body-only, or bundled with the HD Pentax-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR zoom for $2399.95.

Ricoh announces the PENTAX K-1 Mark II full-frame digital SLR camera

Flagship model in the PENTAX K series camera line updated to deliver even higher image quality and enhanced performance in challenging shooting conditions

WEST CALDWELL, NJ, February 21, 2018－Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced the PENTAX K-1 Mark II 35mm full-frame digital SLR (DSLR) camera. Developed as the successor to the PENTAX K-1 full-frame DSLR camera launched in April 2016, the compact, rugged and weather-resistant PENTAX K-1 Mark II now becomes the flagship camera in the acclaimed PENTAX K-series lineup. The camera incorporates new technologies that allow it to deliver outstanding image quality and improved operability in a broader range of shooting conditions.

The PENTAX K-1 Mark II uses the same full-frame Anti-aliasing (AA)-filterless CMOS sensor with 36.4 effective megapixels as its predecessor model. However, Ricoh has added a new accelerator unit to the PENTAX K-1 Mark II that—along with the camera’s PRIME IV image processor—enables it to produce high-resolution images with minimal noise in even in the most challenging low-light conditions, up to ISO 819200. This makes the new camera ideal for low-light photography where higher shutter speeds are required.

The camera also incorporates Pixel Shift Resolution System II. This new, PENTAX-developed technology uses the same in-camera shake-reduction (SR) mechanism and sensor-shift capabilities as the original Pixel Shift Resolution System found in the PENTAX K-1, which captures four images of the same scene, and then synthesizes them into a single, super-high-resolution composite image. With the Pixel Shift Resolution System II, the camera also obtains RGB color data, resulting in images with significantly finer details and truer colors than those produced by typical full-frame sensors.

A new feature in the Pixel Shift Resolution System II is Dynamic Pixel Shift Resolution mode. This mode allows photographers to produce crisp, ultra-high pixel shift resolution images without the need of a tripod, extending the camera’s use to a wider variety of subjects and scenes.

The PENTAX K-1 Mark II also comes equipped with many unique features and functions designed to facilitate creativity and ensure operational comfort that have become the hallmark of PENTAX cameras. These include a sturdy magnesium-alloy body with dustproof, weather-resistant construction; an optical viewfinder with a nearly 100-percent field of view for real-time subject confirmation; Astro Tracer, which simplifies the tracing and photographing of celestial bodies by coupling GPS data with the camera's sophisticated SRII mechanism; and a flexible tilt-type LCD monitor to accommodate various shooting angles.

| Pricing and Availability |

The PENTAX K-1 Mark II camera body will be available in April 2018 for a suggested list price of $1,999.95. The camera body plus HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR zoom lens will also be available for a suggested list price of $2,399.95. Both can be purchased at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com as well as at Ricoh Imaging-authorized retail outlets throughout North America.

The PENTAX K-1 Mark II features a 35mm-format full-frame CMOS image sensor with an AA (anti-aliasing) filter–free design to produce high-resolution images with approximately 36.4 effective megapixels. It also features a new accelerator unit, which optimizes the image data obtained by the full-frame image sensor before delivering it to the high-performance PRIME IV imaging engine. As a result, the camera is capable of producing high-quality images with minimal noise, while retaining excellent resolution at all sensitivity levels, from normal to super-high sensitivities. PENTAX has also updated all image-processing parameters to ensure colors are true to life, with special emphasis on deep blues and lively greens. PENTAX has also dramatically improved the camera’s noise-reduction performance at a high-sensitivity range — up to ISO 819200 — to expand creative possibilities in super low-light shooting.

Building upon the original PENTAX-developed Pixel Shift Resolution System — the super-resolution technology that uses the camera’s in-body shake-reduction mechanism to capture four images of the same scene by shifting the image sensor by a single pixel for each image, and then synthesizes them into a single composite image — is the Pixel Shift Resolution System II,* making its debut in the PENTAX K-1 II. This new system obtains RGB color data for each pixel, resulting in super-high-resolution images with finer details and more realistic colors than those produced by cameras with ordinary full-frame sensors. The Motion Correction functions provides ON/OFF switching, which detects moving elements of the continuously captured images to minimize the effect of subject movement during the image synthesizing process.***The new Dynamic Pixel Shift Resolution mode,** which can be used during handheld shooting, works together with the camera’s shake-reduction mechanism, by synthesizing the composite images while detecting the slight fluctuations of the subject’s position during the capture process.

This technology comes from the reverse thinking of pixel shift technology to utilize the minute camera shake itself to product the composite images. Therefore, by detecting the camera shake in three dimensions, the continuously captured four images are analyzed based on the detected camera shake information and combined into a single file to produce one super high resolution image.

* When using this system, the user is advised to stabilize the camera firmly on a tripod. Even if a moving subject is captured in the camera’s image field, the image may not be reproduced clearly, partially or in total. ** The captured images may not be properly synthesized with certain subjects or under certain conditions. By capturing images in the RAW or RAW+ format, the user can process the images unsuitable for the synthesizing process as normal RAW-format images within the camera body. The images may not be properly synthesized in a composite image *** The movement may not be sufficiently corrected when the object is moving in a certain direction and/or pattern. This function does not guarantee that the movement is properly corrected with all subjects.

3. High-performance five-axis, five-step SR II system

(1) In-body SR mechanism delivers optimal shake-reduction performance with all compatible lenses The PENTAX K-1 Mark II comes equipped with the PENTAX-developed SR II (Shake Reduction II) five-axis mechanism, which provides accurate control of the large full-frame image sensor with all compatible PENTAX interchangeable lenses.* In addition to camera shake caused by pitch and yaw, this advanced system also compensates for camera shake caused by horizontal and vertical shift (often generated in macro photography) and camera shake caused by roll, which is difficult for lens-installed shake-reduction mechanisms to handle. It has a compensation range up to five steps (measured in conformity with CIPA standards, using the HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5, 6ED DC WR at a 105mm focal length). When taking a panning shot, this system automatically detects the direction of the camera’s movement, and efficiently controls the SR unit to produce the best image possible without requiring any mode switching operation.

(2) Innovative AA filter simulator to minimize moiré and inaccurate color rendition By applying microscopic vibrations to the image sensor unit at the sub-pixel level during image exposure, the camera’s anti-aliasing (AA) filter simulator** provides the same level of moiré reduction as an optical AA filter. Unlike an optical filter, which always creates the identical result, this innovative simulator not only lets the user switch the AA filter effect on and off, but also adjust the level of the effect. This means that the ideal effect can be set for a particular scene or subject based on given photographic conditions.

(3) Additional shooting functions enabled by the SR II system Since the camera’s SR unit has a flexible design that tilts the image sensor unit in all directions, additional shooting functions are enabled, including auto level compensation, image-composition fine-adjustment, and Astro Tracer, a feature that works along with the built-in GPS, to produce super-sharp images of the night sky.

* Lenses compatible with this mechanism: K-, KA-, KAF-, KAF2-, KAF3- and K AF4-mount lenses; screw-mount lenses (with an adapter); and 645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be available with certain lenses. ** This function works most effectively with a shutter speed of 1/1000 second or slower. This function may not be combined with some shooting modes, including the Pixel Shift Resolution system.

4. Flexible, tilting LCD monitor facilitates shooting in the dark On its back panel, the PENTAX K-1 Mark II features a flexible, tilting LCD monitor, which can be adjusted to the desired angle horizontally, vertically or diagonally with a single adjustment, without deviating from the lens’s optical axis. The user can not only tilt it approximately 35 degrees horizontally and approximately 44 degrees vertically, but also pull it out from its base to view the on-screen image from above for waist-level photography. This large, 3.2-inch LCD monitor has approximately 1,037,000 dots and a 3:2 aspect ratio, and provides a protective tempered-glass front panel for added durability. In addition to its wide-view design, it also features a unique air-gapless construction, in which the air space between LCD layers is eliminated to effectively reduce the reflection and dispersion of light for improved visibility during outdoor shooting. Its outdoor monitor function, which allows instant adjustment of the monitor’s brightness to the desired level, has also been improved to provide greater visibility in dark locations. Its red-lit monitor display function facilitates monitor viewing when the photographer’s eyes have become accustomed to a dark location during nighttime photography.

5. SAFOX 12 with 33 sensor points and full-frame-proportioned AF frame Using a SAFOX 12 AF sensor module with 33 AF sensors (25 cross-type sensors positioned in the middle), the PENTAX K-1 Mark II optimizes the autofocus process, and assures high-speed autofocus operation in the AF.S (AF Single) mode. The center sensor and two sensors located just above and below it are designed to detect the light flux of an F2.8 lens, making it easy to obtain pinpoint focus on a subject when using a large-aperture lens. Its AF Tracking algorithm has also been revised to improve tracking accuracy of fast-moving subjects in the AF.C (AF Continuous) mode.

6. PENTAX Real-Time Scene-Analysis System, developed using artificial intelligence technology By combining an approximately 86,000-pixel RGB metering sensor with the high-performance PRIME IV imaging engine, the PENTAX K-1 Mark II’s advanced PENTAX Real-Time Scene Analysis System performs real-time analysis of the brightness distribution over the image field and the subject’s colors and movement. Based on this data, it then measures the subject’s lighting conditions with great accuracy and optimizes the exposure. By adopting a breakthrough artificial intelligence technology, deep learning, to its algorithm,* it assesses each individual scene more accurately, and optimizes the exposure settings for a given scene or composition.

* Effective when the AUTO exposure mode is set to Scene Analyze Auto and the Custom Image mode is set to Auto Select.

7. Easy-to-focus optical viewfinder with nearly 100-percent field of view Optimized for a 35mm full-frame digital SLR design, the camera’s optical viewfinder provides a nearly 100-percent field of view and an approximately 0.7-times magnification. Using a combination of a condenser lens and aspherical lens, it provides a wide field of view and a clear, undistorted image of the subject. It comes with a Natural Bright Matt III focusing screen, acclaimed for ease of focusing during manual-focus operation, and true-to-life rendition of defocused areas in the viewfinder image. In addition, its transparent viewfinder display makes it possible to superimpose a wide range of photographic data over the viewfinder image.

8. High-speed continuous shooting The PENTAX K-1 Mark II allows continuous recording of as many as 17 images in the RAW format (or a maximum of 70 images in the JPEG Best format) in a single sequence, at a top speed of approximately 4.4 images per second. This is made possible by the combination of advanced mechanisms including a damper mechanism that effectively minimizes mirror shock; high-speed, high-precision control of the shutter and mirror units; and a high-speed data transmission system incorporated in the PRIME IV imaging engine. In the APS-C Crop mode, the drive speed can be boosted to as high as approximately 6.4 images per second, and as many as 50 images in a single sequence in the RAW format (or 100 images in the JPEG Best format) to assure quick response to fast-moving subjects.

Operation-assist light function, which sets LED lights at four different spots around the camera body — above the lens mount, behind the LCD monitor, at the memory car slot, and at the cable switch terminal — to facilitate lens and memory card changes, attachment and removal of the cable switch, and control button operation at night and in poorly lit settings.

Key lock function, which prevents erroneous operation of the four-way controller and other exposure-related control buttons.

Smart Function, which allows the user to swiftly choose and set desired functions using just the function dial and the set dial on the camera’s upper panel, without referring to the menu screen on the LCD monitor.

Control panel customize function, which allows the user to change a listing and/or position of the on-screen menu.

10. Compact, rugged body with dustproof, weather-resistant construction The camera’s bottom panel and front and back frames are all made of sturdy yet lightweight magnesium alloy. Although the camera features a dependable, durable shutter unit that can withstand 300,000 shutter releases (measured under actual shooting conditions) for professional use, its body has been downsized to the minimum possible, thanks to the incorporation of a unique floating mirror structure. With the inclusion of 87 sealing parts in the body, the camera also boasts a dustproof, weather-resistant and cold-resistant construction, assuring solid operation at temperatures as low as -10°C. All these features make the PENTAX K-1 Mark II a dependable, all-purpose performer, even under demanding shooting conditions.

11. Full HD movie recording with an array of creative tools The PENTAX K-1 Mark II captures Full HD movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels; 60i/30p frame rate) in the H.264 recording format, and comes equipped with a stereo mic terminal for external microphone connection, and a headphone terminal. The user can also adjust the audio recording level manually, monitor sound pressure levels during microphone recording, and cut down wind noise using a new wind-noise reduction mode. In addition to a host of distinctive visual effects for movie recording,* the camera also provides the interval movie mode, which captures a series of 4K-resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) movie clips at a fixed interval.

* When special image processing is required, the frame rate may vary depending on the selected special-effect mode.

12. Built-in GPS module The PENTAX K-1 Mark II provides a variety of advanced GPS functions, including the recording of location, latitude, longitude, altitude and UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) and direction at the time of shooting. The user can easily access images containing GPS data using a computer, to browse them, check on shooting locations and position data on the screen, or save them. The camera also provides a set of other unique tools, including: Electronic Compass, which displays the camera's direction on its LCD monitor; GPS log, which keeps track of the photographer's movement; and Astro Tracer, which simplifies the tracing and photographing of celestial bodies by coupling GPS data with the camera's SR mechanism.

Compensation of various parameters: lens distortion, lateral chromatic aberration, diffraction, and brightness level at image-field edges. Fringe effect compensation is also available in RAW-format processing.

Comments

I for one, always wish Pentax a bright, prosperous future, as I remember what a big name/big selling brand they used to be. A pro' camera back in the 60's, bigger than Olympus in the 70's, losing their way a bit in the late 80's into the 90's. Now slightly forgotten, but producing very good spec', very well priced cameras that really deserve more customers and attention. And that includes me, who looks to Nikon or the m43 range for new equipment, not Pentax. Yet this K-1 mk2 is every bit a match for competing cameras...

The only way to defend Canon's camera is to talk about lenses and everything that isn't the camera itself.That's right, Canon lenses lineup is far greater than Pentax... but once again, on the camera level, it seems that Canon still has much progress to make.

I'm glad that the new Pentax can do wonderful stuff- makes for great competition. I sure wouldn't change from my Nikon and Sony cameras though. I have no idea if they are better since I don't and won't shoot Pentax. 2 brands are enough for me, and I'm used to my cameras. It's the same reason I won't shoot Canon no matter what they come out with.

Anyway, I'm sure that it will be exactly like any other tech and all other brands will absorb it and have it in their next camera cycles. It'll be just like when Olympus came out with a self-cleaning sensor; now everyone does it. So I'm not at all concerned that the Pentax can do well at night. Soon, all cameras will.

I'm glad I haven't gotten around to purchasing the K-1 Mark I yet, because this is truly great news. In sum, I'll venture to say that the K-1 Mark II is like a 2009 BMW 733i, while the K-1 Mark I looks to be in comparison sort of like a 1997 Toyota Corolla, though a lot nicer, and notably more deluxer, and especially and bigly good, and unquestionably even better. I'm not judging, though, I'm just sayin'. I mean, because, what do I know? The main thing is, count me in! Thanks!

Perhaps NIkon could take note of this and implement a similar strategy for new revisions of its cameras within the same model series, such as with the D800 series (mainly when we had the D800, then the D800E, then the D810). They were all pretty much similar, and Nikon could have offered an "update" program like this one, but instead I think they just forced you get a new camera to get the new features. Good for revenues, but I think bad for customer satisfaction. I could see where say the D850 wouldn't work for such an upgrade program as it's a bit different than the other D800-series bodies. Obviously, Nikon doesn't do "mark II" or "Mark III" on their camera lines, they just release new model numbers entirely, like D800E instead of a D800 Mark II, or D800 Mark III for the D810.

I hope dpr put k1ii in comparation with competitors side by side. Not only concentrate on the AF.The camera has 5 positive features that competitors don't. 1.PS2.IBIS 3.weather sealed body better than others. 4.AA simulator. 5.better DR.

it would interest me moreto see if Canon will offer higher color fidelity handheld "rgbg" recording with smarter use of their electronic image stabilization technologywhere:1) image sensor is fixed (of course)2) uses users handheld motion to record from fixed points in optical fov: one red, one green (doubled), 1 blue (in any order, of course, just once; toss all excessive duplicates, if any): single exposure3) it adjust according to users chosen lens FL (with its unique aov per pixel)4) since it need not rely on "mechanical" pixel-shifting, there is never any "incomplete" pixel shifts per se5) impossible to not accidentally cover all 3 cfa colors (rgb) during handheld shots6) it adjusts also to user chosen shutterspeeds to do the full rgb cfa "sampling"

it is a more sophisticated version of pan-scan (panorama) where pixels are typical read only once per rgbg cfa

could extend it to full rgb panorama-stills-scans, tooin any directionnot just fixed pov regular stills

I don't see how random user shake could be more reliable and precise than a mechanical movement. Pentax ibis can follow stars easily to the pixel level, you will never have such thing with a fixed sensor. With electronic interpolation you loose a lot of resolution because many pixels are needed to record one accurate pixel, and you have the bayer filter messing with your color interpolation.

With pentax Pixel shift the sensor is moved perfectly to expose the RGB pixels each at a time, making a perfect color interpolation at the pixel level (unless the subject moves obviously)

deliberate random shake or unintentional handheld motionit is certain to cover all 3 cfa (rgb) colors with anything beyond a single pixel widthtwo pixel withs in any random direction guarantees 2 of 3 cfa coveragethe third is 50:50 and impossible to avoid beyond two pixel widths

this is the nature of smarter panning effectnever subject to "wear"and it is immune to mechanical shortcomings

for deliberate sensor shifting mechanicals, there is no guarantee even the very first shift is a successful complete shiftand worse, for every subsequent shifts (more incomplete pixel shifts)

as those who already have tried other MSPS, like Sony, Panasonic, etctaking many retakes helps improving odds of acquiring a full complete cfa (rgbg) set of successful pixel-shifts ... great for static scenes, but not so for fleeting moments

The upgrading program is just amazing and kind of a surprise coming from canon and sony system. First because I have the k1 limited in silver and like the colour and second because I don't have to sell it and buy another one. In reality I have no reason to upgrade since it's still very competitive as it is and do all I need, and a lot more. They will force my hand with the upgrade program and it's perfect since I planned on keeping that camera for at least another 2-3 years after having tried the alternatives.

I don't remember any manufacturer doing that kind of upgrade program but I don't remember many camera been close to perfection for my use. It seems I'm not alone if they just replaced some hardware and made sure it's compatible with the current model.

Leica did something similar with the M8 with the $1500 M8.2 upgrade, they change the shutter mechanism for a more reliable -and slower- (8000 down to 1/4000) plus a sapphire lcd screen. But that was it.

Any manufacturer can write down big ISO number for marketing purpose. But for real use, it is meaningless. The best camera in the market can hold up to ISO 6400 for normal use. ISO 128K for mobile use.

I don't see myself upgrading my K1 to another Pentax for a very long time. In fact the K1 might be my last DSLR and i'll switch over to some mirrorless options in the future but we'll see. Not because the camera is bad but it's going to take an awful lot to justify myself to upgrade. Probably a combination of a not yet to be released 50MP Sony sensor with updated autofocus.

K1 or K1-mark ii: Great cameras to do superb landscape photography, without worrying about a camera getting wet easily -- or having to carry duct-tapes or plastic bags as for some of those 'non-budget' cameras.

In other words, a camera that gets weather out of your way! Side-benefits: excellent resolution, GPS tagging, Pixel shift, IBIS, low noise, what landscape photography is all about :-)

And yet, when I saw DPR editors call K1 a 'budget landscape camera', and now some comments below for mark-ii calling it a 'budget landscape camera' as well, I wonder what is still missing!?

@Jochenls You can actually get used older Tamron 28-75 and 70-200 f/2.8 zooms in K-mount for cheap. Not the best lenses anymore but they are light and f/2.8. For landscapes you'll probably be stopping down anyway. Although you might want to get a wider lens.

@Esstee i wonder if it's just a mainboard change or the K1II has other upgraded parts that the K1 does not. I mean, other improved components that are not switched when the mainboard is upgraded or that motherboard upgrade will convert it into a K1II. Maybe i have misread something but i haven't seen that particular aspect clarified. As a K3II owner i would be happy if i could send my K3II for a mainboard upgrade to get improvements, of course this is not the case...

They say "In AF-S mode, results were generally accurate and precise."It's obviously not an AF where you hammer a series of 200 out of it. Even though they announced that they seem to have tweaked also the AF-C algorithm. If someone is dependent on that it might be worth to evaluate that first. But beside that it should be just fine.

For your information, Pentax AF-S has long been one of the most accurate and one of the first to support AF at -3 EV.

Canon has been shown to focus faster but not as precisely. In some scientific tests, carried out by dedicated laboratories, Pentax AF has been shown to be very good and superior to other well-know brands (-> ColorFoto 2011, where the Pentax K-5 had the best and one of the fastest phase detect AF systems and beat the Canon 7D and Nikon D7000).

It is well-know that Pentax AF-C performance cannot touch the performance of top Canon and Nikon models but AF-C is just one aspect of AF. That has also been acknowledged by DPReview as the K-1 review initially criticized "AF performance" in general terms but then was corrected to specifically address AF-C.

No one should buy the K-1 as a dedicated action camera, but if you cannot shoot a wedding with a K-1, it's not the camera's fault.

I'll back up Class A on that. I've shot several weddings with the K-1 with no issue. In fact in low-light I've been fairly impressed with it's accuracy. I also shoot local bands quite often and the venues I go to do not have state-of-the-art light shows, to put it politely.

@tinetz They also say "As lighting gets worse, the hesitation gets longer, often to an unacceptable point. Good AF point sensitivity doesn't mean much if the speed isn't reasonable".

Having said that, I've all but given up on posting my impressions of the AF. I know I've done my homework and I'm far more comfortable with Nikon. But some people apparently get great results with Pentax too. I think everyone should just try out and decide for themselves and not try to force their points of view onto others. Maybe this is one of those things that has been discussed too much already.

ISO 819,200 That's like big horsepower numbers in motor vehicles, good for bragging rights but never safe to use in real life where chassis and handling are alwaysimportant features. I'm waiting for the inevitable price drop on the K1 Second body here I come! :)

Even worse, max ISO rating is completely meaningless and does not indicate low light performance. That being said I expect this camera to be competitive with any camera in its class just like the original K-1 was.

It's just an additional option. Usually the highest iso modes are just digital brightening and there is no reason to stop short there. Let the users make the decision how much digital amplification they want.

Wrong KEnrique - This new K1 MK2 is basically a Nikon D810 with image stabilizer. The 1900 dollar price tag does seem reasonable for the specifications given. Not a steel, not a bargain, just reasonable.

Having compared shoots from the d810 and the k1 in noise and shadow recovery and dr ... there is no comparison. Even the d850 can't touch the k1 on these aspects and the a7r3 is very similar but double the price. A friend who shoot d810 tried the d850 and my k1 and is waiting for the k1 mkii.

The k1 is still very competitive in DR, noise, handling and beat anything in weather sealing and toughness. All that for half the price.

I wouldn't switch my k1 for a a7r3 after testing it. The a7r3 would end up thrown on a wall for the stupidest menu system or damaged from rain.

K1 is already a pretty perfect camera, even AF is good for most real world use cases. But I think 2 simple to implement features would have improved its usability significantly: frame rate for continuous shooting and buffer depth.

I have never had the AF problems frequently attributed to the K-1. But then, I don't use AF tracking. I occasionally use continuous shooting, and man, is that small buffer a PITA at such moments. For me, the whole reason to use CS is precisely because I am concerned to miss fast-moving action; it is maddening beyond description to have the camera suddenly become inert during the interminable buffer-clearing period.

I've never had focus problem with the K1 either. It focus in the really dark on low contrast subject. It's just not the fastest specially compared to my em1.2 but it's still more than enough for everything I do. I learned to focus with manual lenses and almost never use tracking on any camera. I've done bird in flight with almost 100% keeper rate so if it's a bad AF system I probably don't shoot in situation needing that kind of AF.

The K1 as it is is still one of the best available if you don't care about video and the body is not expensive and you get superbe lenses for very good prices. The 24-70mm d fa is amazing is almost half the price of the competition.

It make sense that the K1 mkii won't be too different just improved since I can't fault anything on this camera as it is.

Help... only inferring but isn't this a result of k mount and cameras AF and metering system..that is the improved one wished for would have to be really a new AF system that could not be fully compatible with all existing K mount lenses?? Otherwise they would have built it??? Seems that way. The Pentax dilemms. Something is very unique or ? with their system.

The primary gripe I have with Pentax AF is that there is a delay between hitting the button and the lens focusing, and again between micro-adjustments, and that that delay becomes longer in dim lighting. I have a hard time believing this has anything to do with the lens, especially since I've experienced this phenomenon with a variety of lenses, both screw-driven and SDM.

@Adam007 I've tried SDM lenses, screwdrive lenses etc. It's the body, not the lens, nor the lens motor. I never understand people blaming the motor. Maybe this is justified to a point where the underpowered SDM motors of DA* lenses are concerned. But the light-weight screw-driven DA 35/2.4 is a different story. A motor is a dumb thing that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. Its performance does not depend on light levels.

@starbase218, if you don't understand lens motor is an important part of a camera's system's AF performance, you just need to check out DPR's own review of K-70 paired with fast focusing lens such as the PLM 55-300:

@LightBug I'm not saying it isn't, and I really don't appreciate people putting words in my mouth. I'm talking about a light-level dependent delay. That is what Adam007 asked about and that is what I responded to. How can that have anything to do, whatsoever, with the motor in the lens? The motor doesn't care if it's day or night.

@LightBug Oh and not only am I not saying it isn't, but your assumption that I don't understand that is a whole other thing not even worthy of a response. Frankly, I wonder if you even bothered to completely read my post before responding.

I was a Pentax user before, but I switched to Nikon a while ago, mainly because of the AF. This update does not make me want to go back. For me it doesn't really solve any problems, except maybe the reduced noise, but then noise reduction in postprocessing is often more effective anyway. But if you're a hiker, now you can shoot landscapes in pixel shift without having to bring a tripod along. I doubt many people will make use of the update program. But for anyone who was thinking of getting a K-1, now there's a better version for the same price. That can only be a good thing.

I want to like Pentax but their lens options are unorthodox. Their wide-angle zooms are the 15-30mm f/2.8, 16-50mm f/2.8, and 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6. I don't want to lug around a brick-heavy f/2.8 lens, and the variable-aperture 16-85 is probably similar build to a kit lens. Every major has a 16-35 f/4 or near-equivalent, except Pentax. Tony Northrup keeps calling the K-1 the best landscape DSLR, but the lens selection makes it impractical for wilderness shooters.

The 15-30 is a brick, but spectacular. You can get a very nice Sigma 18-35, but it lacks WR, which should be taken into consideration. The 28-105 "kit" lens for the K-1 is the hiking photographer's sweet spot. There are several nice WA primes from 3rd party manufacturers. Landscape shooters are well provided for with Pentax.

Can you explain a bit more as to why it's impractical? It sounds like you're a zoom shooter, and the Pentax lineup covers the typical range albeit in slightly different groupings than the other guys (15-30, 24-70, and 70-200). Is it just that old habits die hard, or is there something else that makes one way of splitting up the zooms better one way as compared to how Pentax choose to do it?

I don't care that much about size when I do landscape since I generally bring a single lens. The 15-30 ans 24-70 are extremely good and worth the size. I pretty much do everything with the 24-70mm since I'm not a lens collector and with those D FA rain and snow are not a problem.

This is basically the original K-1 with the KP's circuit board. The original K-1 was great when it came out, but its AF is woefully insufficient. Other than the improved pixel shift mode, the K-1 II is extremely disappointing and probably already obsolete before it's even been released.

The accelerator unit seems to squeeze quite a bit more performance from the sensor. There was a test, I think on this site, where they tested the K-1 mark I against the KP that has the accelerator unit and the KP performed impessively given the difference in sensor size. A fair upgrade for someone who wants to move to a full frame Pentax , I doubt that too many people will upgrade from the K1.

Agree. Lack of 4K is inexcusable on a camera of this value, or even a camera costing $500 less. I do not understand how Pentax ever survives, or why anyone would choose to buy into the Pentax system instead of Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Lumix, etc.

FWIW, the only professional level 4K video exists only in the Lumix range. Canon, Nikon, even SONY 4K, doesn't offer professionals the options of the GH5 in the under $4K price range. Why should Pentax compete with the rest of the also rans? Amazing, all the gear heads that want a one size fits all camera instead of using the right gear for a given job.

@MacroBokeh: GAS is not saying that "there is no point in updating". The AF send not to be improved. I will tell you this, though. Focusing is one of the most important things an autofocus camera can do (you can have great image quality, but it means nothing if the whole image is blurry), so updating to get much more usable autofocus would not really be a fire if GAS, as it immediately helps ones photography.

I have one of the fastest AF camera and a K1 and can't care less of the difference since I don't miss shoots with the K1 and get similar keeper. The difference is I don't fill the card in 5s on the K1. It was cute the only time I tried that and never used it after.

The K1 is really good and accurate in low light, it focus on dark low contrast item like nothing I had before so I won't complain about it.

Sony A7 Sll is 12mp and is the best low light camera ,so I'm hoping that a new camera will produce a 10mp or less to improve upon low light image quality , 36mp is not the way to go , nobody needs all those mp , who prints large murals anyway ?

The K-1 is neck to neck with the A7S II when it comes high ISO performance. It's only at ISO 50,000 that the Sony gets any advantage. I wouldn't bet against the K-1 II leapfrogging whatever advantage the A7S II offers, especially considering that the Pentax KP (which uses the same technology) has the best high ISO performance of any APS-C camera.

Pixel Shift is pretty much cheating if you're talking about ISO like that Using multiple images to reduce noise has been done before, anyway (Sonys have had it forever). A single ultra high ISO image will be virtually unusable. Doubt this will be usable beyond 51,200. And I have a pretty high tolerance for noise.

On the one hand, the K-1 was already a fantastic camera, just like the Nikon D810, and couldn't have been improved upon very much anyways.

On the other hand, without 4K video or any other serious updates that people have begun to expect in any "pro" grade camera, I fear that Pentax' user base may only shrink yet again by another few %%...

On the third hand, (!!!!) ...we just witnessed a 2-year product cycle, at a time when Canon and Nikon are both on 3-4 year cycles for this class of pro full-frame body.

In short, I'd buy this camera if I were already a Pentax user. But even then, I still might worry for Pentax' future. I hope that they continue to have strong support from their die-hard user base, and maybe even gain a few new users who want a beast of a robust camera that is feature-packed and dirt-cheap...

I absolutely hope that Pentax is NOT doomed. I plan on buying a K-1 just for the fun of it if I ever become "well-off", just for the nostalgia of owning a Nikon and a Pentax DSLR together, as I currently own (and use from time to time) two classic Nikon and Pentax film SLRs that I inherited from my grandfathers.

yes they are to killer functionsFunctioning AF and lens stabilization where the viewfinder is stabilized and the Pictures are in focus are news for you perhapsAnd high res picures without artifacts too, Viewfinders with a higher magnification than 0.7 and without a fake hump to make them look bigger and metal top pate on the camera are unheard of in K1 land

The other things don't matter to a landscape photographer, who is the likeliest person to truly put a K-1 to good use.

But at this point, we're being pedantic. Every camera company has things that are considered ancient compared to the competition. Sony's menus and button functionality were ancient until very recently. Pentax' menus are still pretty ancient looking, though their functionality is greatly improved lately. Canon certainly has a few specs that are living in the past too. Nikon's grip rubber problems should have been solved 10 years ago, but they still keep making grip rubber that falls off every 100,000 frames, like clockwork.

All in all, I'd be happy to put up with the "ancient-ness" of certain companies moreso than others. Nikon and Pentax are at the top of my list, Canon and Sony are at the bottom. Personal preference?

I believe it is more than just firmware. They are replacing the microprocessing chip which adds the accelerator that is in the KP. The accelerator allegedly would add about one or two stops of noise reduction plus maybe an upgrade on the pixel shift. That is more than what can be done with just a software update.

You get new hardware, too.Thats a very impressive Offer.Most other manufacturers want to sell you new stuff and chuk your old stuff into a bin.My respect to the people at Pentax.Disclaimer: no I don’t own pentax gear. My hands would need upgrades to use the K1 ;-)

I can’t wait to see how the anti-Pentax cabal Within DPR will try to sabotage the coverage of this obviously great camera. Will they ignore it as they did with the groundbreaking 645? Or will they damn it with faint praise as they’ve done with other Pentax cameras?One thing is for sure, the Russians who turned American public opinion against Hillary Clinton learned everything they know from the Pentax haters right there in Seattle.

Good guys who sell re-branded Tamron lenses with IS removed at 150% cost. Which somehow no Pentax fan likes to mention when talking about how their cameras are cheaper than the competition.Whether you love them or hate them, they aren't "good guys" - they are a company that works for profit, just like any other.

Considering how dirt-cheap Tamron lenses are to begin with, and how dirt-cheap the Pentax K-1 is/was, and lastly considering the extra weather sealing added to the Pentax lenses, I'd say Pentax still comes out ahead of Canon / Nikon name-brand body+lens combos, either way. (And the Pentax/Tamron 15-30 in particular is exceptionally sharp.)

@zxaar, yeah, instead people prefer to believe that huge commercial corporations are their friends and "good guys". Because that's way more rational.

Don't get me wrong, I love Pentax cameras and enjoy shooting them. K-1 in particular is a thing of beauty and one of the best DSLRs I ever used. But the circlejerk around Pentax fans is one of the worst cases of blind brand loyalty I have ever seen.

Ever since that Russian Facebook post, sales of Pentax cameras have been tanking and reviews have dried up. Who knew that the Russians could wreak such havoc on the best and "most innovative camera brand"* in the world?!

(Among camera brands with their top models having max specs of 1080p 30 video or lower.)

You just got to hand it to Pentax. Finally a camera company has focused on just updating the important hardware instead of making a new body, changing up the control layout, adding useless features, etc. They really seem to care about their customer base and they continue to offer so much value for the money.

Of course we appreciate that offer for k1 owners but maybe this updating with the k1 II and not a totally new body is’due to the fact that Ricoh Pentax has not’enough Cash to invest into a totally new body..... another’ question might well bring some,light : did Pentax invest in new lenses, new primes ? No.

Pentax's customer base doesn't necessarily care about having the fastest af system or amazing video. A lot of them bought the k1 to shoot landscapes which don't require a fast af system. And I am pretty sure the k1's customer base does not include videographers.

I don't even shoot with Pentax (i'm a nikon user) I just like what they are offering for the price. I do wish I would have looked into the spec sheet a little more before I wrote my first comment though...

even without this upgrade its a best camera at all... best image quality, especially if you want to hard process RAW files, get information and colors from shadow and highlight. And real weather sealed camera for working in very wide range of temperature environment, and with PS technology and astro tracer its a ideal landscape and astro photography camera. Thanks to Pentax for it!

@thx1138 as it says in the article, the dynamic system relies on not holding camera absolutely still, "by measuring the movements that come from hand shake", the IBIS does the measuring, I believe by 'allowing' 1 pixel of shake rather than 0.

You take a series of pictures in a burst. Your hands shake so that the pictures get shifted by, say, 10 pixels relative to each other. Random amount, of course. The accelerometer measures (calculates) this amount, alignes the pictures pixel-to-pixel, and then shifts them by 1 pixel for bayer cancelation /super resolution, as it would with the initially aligned tripod-based burst.

Plus it isn't just stacking images. They're sampling RGB at every photosite rather than a stacked bayer interpolation. That method of true color has the potential to be what foveon attempts but foveon injects a lot of noise into the pipeline.

And if you can shoot 128k ISO with the pixel shift oversampling NR effect, how much light do you need. You basically get a two stop improvement over the K1 which means you cancel out the time taken to take the 4 PS exposures.

I am curious how well the 5 axis SR system will work in combination with the pixel shift system.. will this give an equivalent of 8-9 stops of image stabilization? Or is the pixel shift more for the DR aspect?

Pixel Shift takes four shots to get accurate colour information, sort of like a foveon sensor. No moire and noise cancelling effects due to multi exposure plus finer detail. Subject movement is its Achilles heel of course.

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